City Council

Minutes of the Finance Meeting Troy City Council April 19, 2017 6:30 PM The meeting was called to order at 6:45 pm by Council President Mantello Pledge of Allegiance – Council Member McGrath Roll Call: Council Member Gulli, Council Member McGrath, Council Member Bodnar, Council Member Doherty, Council Member Kopka, Council Member Donohue, Council Member Sullivan-Teta, Council Member Ashe-McPherson and Council President Mantello. Also present Mayor Madden, Deputy Mayor Kurzejeski, Corporation Counsel Caruso, Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski, Commissioner of Planning Strichman Strichman, Deputy Corporation Counsel Vincellete, and Assessor Martin. Mayor Madden stated the Troy Bond rating is revised by Moody’s Investor’s Service and the outlook has been upgraded from negative to stable. The Mayor shared a copy of the report with the Council. Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski presented the 2016 4th Quarter Financial Report. The overview of the presentation included a review of the 2016 General Fund revenue and expenditures, the surplus, how 2016 results impact 2017 and beyond, review of the 2016 water fund revenues and expenditures and a review of the 2016 sewer fund revenues and expenditures. Piotrowski shared a copy of his report with the Council. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES: 36. Ordinance Approving Settlement Of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted By David Kirzner On The Assessment Roll Of The City Of Troy Ordinance passes 7 yes, 2 no Ashe-McPherson, Mantello 37. Ordinance Approving Settlement Of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted By Rajinder Jain On The Assessment Roll Of The City Of Troy. Ordinance passes 5 yes, 4 no Gulli, Donohue, Ashe-McPherson, Mantello 38. Ordinance Amending The Special Grants Fund Budget – Home Program. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote 39. Ordinance Authorizing And Directing Sales By The Proposal Sale Method Of City-Owned Real Properties. Council President made a motion to amend the ordinance. The correct sale price for 7 St. Josephs Street should state $100. Amended Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote 40. Ordinance Authorizing The Execution And Delivery Of A Land Development Agreement With BTP Monument Square, LLC With Respect To The “One Monument Square Site”. Council President Mantello asked why there was a decrease from the prior proposal as the prior proposal was for $650,000 and this proposal is for $600,000. Strichman stated said he verified values with an appraiser and it is a good value and they recommended taking that offer. Mantello stated she had a concern with the 30 month extension and asked why they are requesting 30 months and she would like to amend the agreement to come back to the Council for the extensions. Strichman stated its for18 months and no greater than 30 months and this land agreement is to get point of getting to the sale. He further stated the development team is on track and they plan on going through the planning commission this summer and in the ground by October. He further stated that he would be concerned if this extends out to 30 months and we would lose the state funded grants. Council President asked if they will go to the IDA and Strichman replied yes. Councilman Ashe-McPherson stated she received a letter from the veterans groups and they want to know what the plans are for the memorials. Strichman stated this is an artist’s rendering and the memorials are in Riverfront Park. Councilman Doherty stated parking was a concern and he received concerns from constituents and business owners and he will vote yes as he believes the administration is dedicated and in the process of taking steps regarding parking. Council President Mantello stated she will vote in favor however she has some concerns about parking and the design fitting in with the current architecture. Councilman Gulli stated if they bring in 10,000 people a week than parking is a concern and he will vote no. Councilman Ashe-McPherson stated her concerns are parking, design and the making sure the veterans will have a right- a-way; however, this is a business deal that will bring money into the city. Ordinance passes 8 yes, 1 no Gulli 41. Ordinance Authorizing And Approving, The Filing Of The City Of Troy’s Application For Funding Pursuant To The Housing And Community Development Act Of 1974, The Mckinney Act Emergency Shelter Grant Program And The Home Investment Partnership Program Designating The Mayor As The Authorized Representative Of The City For Such Purposes. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS: 41. Resolution Proclaiming June 19, 2017 Chef Jackie Baldwin Day In Troy, New York. Resolution passes by a unanimous vote 42. Resolution Appointing Commissioners Of Deeds For The City Of Troy. Council President made a motion to amend the resolution to add several names. Resolution passes by a unanimous vote 43. Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Execute A Contract With Mobilitie, LLC. Mayor Madden acknowledged that some errors were made and work was immediately stopped on the project and the Deputy Mayor worked with Mobilitie to reposition, relocate and reduce the numbers of poles. Council President Mantello said she is happy that some poles have come down but Hutton and Jacob poles need to come down. Peter, regional director from Mobilitie stated these two poles cover an area due to the need for coverage. He further stated they have switched many to attachments. Deputy Mayor referred to a packet that was handed out by Mobilitie that included a map of the relocations. Council President Mantello said there is one pole in Lansingburgh and seven near RPI. Peter (Mobilitie) stated it is based on traffic. Councilman McGrath stated there is nothing to compare this agreement with so he doesn’t know if this is the best deal and the process was not followed. He further stated that another firm could give us a better deal so he suggested a workshop with comparable rates and pictures. Councilman McGrath made a motion to table. Council President seconded the motion. Councilman Gulli asked about the annual license fees and will there be residuals based on the amount of business they will do. Corporation Counsel Caruso stated this is a good deal as he negotiated this deal and he saw comparisons. He further stated he rejected the first and second offer and Troy will get $32,000 a year plus an administrative fee of $2500. Council President Mantello stated she will refer this to a Finance meeting for a presentation in the next few weeks. Councilman Doherty stated they had a license to do the work and you are interrupting this installation and it’s not responsible. Resolution is TABLED 6 yes, 3 no (Kopka, Sullivan-Teta, Doherty) Councilman McGrath stated he is not closing the door but as his job is to protect the citizens of Troy he needs to see the comparison. Peter (Mobilitie) stated that putting up the poles and taking them down has cost $70,000. Danielle (Mobilitie) stated Sprint has a need and they have a dead zone or a capacity issue and will further discuss at the presentation. Mantello stated we want to be a smart city and we want it done properly and to fit with the city landscape and the neighborhoods. 44. Resolution By The Troy City Council Authorizing Acceptance By Of A Department Of State Grant In The Amount $600,000 For Comprehensive Plan Implementation. Resolution passes by a unanimous vote 45. City Council Authorizing The City Council President To Solicit An RFP For An Independent Audit Of 2016 Unaudited Financial Report (In Conjunction With The Purchasing Agent And The City Clerk) Councilman McGrath questioned if the title of the resolution should say unaudited. Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski stated the resolution should read CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO SOLICIT AN RFP FOR AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF 2016 CITY FINANCIAL RECORDS (IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT AND THE CITY CLERK). There was a motion to amend and a second. AMENDED resolution passes 9-0 Adjournment: Motion to adjourn Doherty, 2nd Gulli Meeting adjourned 9:10 pm An audio recording of this meeting is on file in the City Clerk’s Office. Patti O’Brien City Clerk